Multi-Function Surge Reduction Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A multi-function diverter tool is disclosed that allows positive-indication opening and closing of the tool in a downhole environment. The tool includes a first sleeve adapted to open outlet ports in the exterior surface of the tool body. The tool includes a second sleeve which is movable with respect to the first sleeve and is adapted to close the outlet ports when moved from an initial position to a second position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/710,444 filed Dec. 11, 2019, which is acontinuation application of continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/041,098 filed Jul. 20, 2018 which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/542,593filed Jul. 5, 2012, the entire contents of which is incorporated hereinby reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention pertains to multi-function (including openable andcloseable) surge reduction tools for use in down-hole environments.

Background of the Invention

Casing is used in oil gas well construction. In certain applications astring of casing may be deployed using a work string, for example, drillpipe, so that the casing string does not extend all of the way back tothe drilling rig. These scenarios can include a liner and a sub-seacasing longstring.

A longstring is a string of casing whose upper end extends up to thewellhead. So, a long string used on a sub-sea well is one that does notextend up to the drilling rig once installed but whose top resides inthe sub-sea wellhead which sits on the sea floor. A liner is a string ofcasing whose top end resides within the length of a previously installedcasing string. The top end of a liner does not reside at surface orwithin wellhead.

Both of these scenarios utilize drill pipe in order to deploy the casingstring. It is known in the industry that the deployment a casing stringmay exert excessive pressure on an open formation. The excessivepressure may overcome the strength of the formation and thus cause theformation to break down and case a cement job. Surge reduction toolsexists that when used in conjunction with auto-fill float equipmentallow the fluid that is being displaced from the well bore to move upthe inside of the casing and deployment string, thus reducing the surgepressure. Specifically, the surge reduction tools divert fluid flow fromthe inside of the deployment string to the annular space above thecasing string. Once it is determined that casing string must be washeddown and or cemented then surge tool is closed so that the fluid flow isno longer diverted to the annular space above the casing. Reliableclosing of the flow diversion is critical for ensuring successfulcementing operations.

With the onset of dual gradient drilling methods a need exists whichwill require that a surge reduction tool begin in the closed positionuntil it is deployed below the sea floor, then be allowed to open toallow fluid diversion from the inside to the annulus, and then be closedagain to allow wash down or cementing operations.

It is possible that other applications may exist for this type of tool.It is also possible that applications exist requiring a tool to beopened and closed multiple times.

The present invention incorporates multiple shifting sleeves controlledby pressure enable by sealing balls or plugging devices that land onseats and which shift the tool into an open or closed position. Theseats then allow the ball or plugging device to be released through thetool. Proper sizing of the seats for balls or other plugging devicesallows selective opening and closing of the tool, as well as allowingfor a multi-stage tool that may be opened and closed repeatedly.

Additionally, the invention may incorporate a test sub that allows thework string to be pressure tested after the tool is closed, providing apositive indication to the surface that successful closure and sealinghas occurred, and that further operations may proceed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention provides a multiple-sleeve tool, in which each sleeve isprovided with a respective landing device, or seat, for a plugging tool.(Plugging tools, such as darts or balls, are typically dropped from thesurface and either fall or are pumped downhole.) As the tool is rundownhole, it is in a closed position, preventing fluid communicationbetween its exterior and its interior.

When the tool is in the desired position, it is opened by sending afirst plugging device downhole to engage a landing seat. Because thetool provides multiple landing seats, the plugging device will be sizedto pass through any up-hole landing seats it may encounter until itreaches the desired one. Once the plugging device is sealingly engagedwith the desired landing seat, pressure is used to release the sleeveassociated with that landing seat, such as by shearable pins, screws, orrings, or other such pressure-releasable devices, thus shifting thesleeve downward.

In a preferred embodiment, the first such shifting action shifts a firstsleeve into position so that holes in the sleeve body align with holesin the tool body, opening fluid communication between the exterior andinterior of the tool.

In a similar manner, when it is desirable to again close and seal thetool, a second plugging device engages a second seat associated with asecond sleeve. Upon increasing the work string fluid pressure, a secondset of holding devices, such as shear screws, releases and allows thesecond sleeve to shift downward, closing off and sealing the fluidcommunication that was created by the shift of the first sleeve.

As those of skill in the art will recognize, multiple stages, eachproviding two such sleeves, can be “stacked” along a work string, eithertogether or with desired separations between them, so that fluiddiverter operations may be repeatedly opened and closed without the needto withdraw the work string from the wellbore.

Additionally, the invention provides for an optional test devicecomprising a yieldable seat, which yieldable seat can be sized tocapture one or more of the plugging devices after they are released fromthe second sleeve seat(s). This test device allows the work string to bepressurized after the closing operation is completed, to test and ensurethat the closure occurred properly and that the device is sealed. Aftersuch testing, additional pressure may be used to release the pluggingdevice and resume normal operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1A is a sectional view of one embodiment of a tool of the presentinvention in the run-in position.

FIG. 1B is a sectional view of one embodiment of a tool of the presentinvention in the open position.

FIG. 1C is a sectional view of one embodiment of a tool of the presentinvention in the closed position.

FIG. 2A is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a tool ofthe present invention in the run-in position.

FIG. 2B is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a tool ofthe present invention in the open position.

FIG. 2C is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a tool ofthe present invention in the closed position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the locking dogs of FIG. 2 ingreater detail.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a test device mounted below amulti-function diverter tool of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of a tool of the present invention isshown in the run-in position. Multi-function diverter to 10 comprisesbody 12, upper sub 14, lower sub 20, ports 66, and internal assembliesas described below. Upper sub 14 comprises upper thread attachment 16for connection to work string, and upper body seal 18. Lower sub 20comprises lower threaded attachment 22 for connection to work string,and lower body seal 24.

Internal assemblies include upper slider assembly 26 and lower slideassembly 44. Upper slider assembly 26 comprises upper guide 28 connectedto upper ball seat 30, and also connected to upper slider 32 by upperslider connector 34. Lower slider assembly 44 comprises lower guide 46connected to lower ball seat 48, and also connected to lower slider 50by lower slider connector 52. In preferred embodiment, upper ball seat30 is a larger diameter seat than lower ball seat 48.

In one embodiment of the invention, disassembly sleeve 62 is positionedabove lower sub 20 and a sealing relationship with tool body 12 isprovided by disassembly sleeve seals 64. Alternatively, disassemblysleeve 62 may be omitted and tool body 12 may be formed to provide thesame shape as if disassembly sleeve 62 were in place. However, theaddition of disassembly sleeve 62 provides greater ease in disassemblyafter recovery of the multi-function diverter tool 10, because it allowsthe internal portions of the tool 10 to slide out the bottom afterremoval of lower sub 20.

As seen in FIG. 1A, in the run-in position ports 66 are sealed away fromthe inner bore 84 by the sealing relationship provided by first upperslider seals 80, first lower slider seals 68, second lower slider seals70, and disassembly sleeve seals 64. Once the tool 10 is in the desiredposition downhole, it may be opened to allow diversion of fluid from theinner bore 84 to exterior of the tool 10.

To open the tool 10 into the position shown in FIG. 1B a first ball (notshown) is dropped from the surface, and falls or is pumped downhole. Thefirst ball is preferably of insufficient diameter to engage the upperball seat 30, but of sufficient diameter to engage lower ball seat 48.Those of skill in the art will recognize that the first ball may engageupper ball seat 30 if it can be pumped through upper ball seat 30 at apressure insufficient to shear upper shear screws 36.

Once the first ball is engaged on lower ball seat 48, pressure in theinner bore 84 is increased until lower shear screws 54 shear. Lowerslider assembly 44 will then shift downward until lower slider 50 landson landing 61 while upper slider 32 remains stationary. Lower latch ring56 rides in lower latch ring grooves 58 in lower slider 50. As lowerslider 50 lands on landing 61, lower latch ring 56 reaches lower latch60 and expands outward, thus engaging both lower latch ring groove 58and lower latch 60. This action locks lower slider 50 relative todisassembly sleeve 62 (or tool body 12), and prevents upward motion oflower slider assembly 44.

In the open position, ports 66 are aligned with lower slider windows 74.Once the first ball is pumped clear, the exterior of tool 10 is in fluidcommunication with inner bore 84, and the sides of the fluid pathway soprovided are sealed by first upper slider seals 80, second lower sliderseals 70, third lower slider seals 72, and disassembly sleeve seals 64.

To close the tool 10, for example to allow wash down and cementingoperations, a second ball (not shown) is dropped from the surface, andfalls or is pumped downhole. The second ball is of sufficient diameterto engage upper ball seat 30. Once the second ball is in position onupper ball seat 30, fluid pressure is increased to shear upper shearscrews 36, allowing the upper slider assembly to shift downward until itreaches the positon shown in FIG. 1C. Upper latch ring 38 rides in upperlatch ring groove 40 until it reaches upper latch 42. At this point,upper latch ring 38 expands outward so that it engages both upper latchring groove 40 and upper latch 42, preventing any upward shifting ofupper slider assembly 26.

As upper slider assembly 26 shifts downward, any fluid trapped in outerannulus 78 is vented to the inner bore 84 via vents 76, preventinghydraulic locking of the tool.

In the closed position, ports 66 are isolated from the inner bore 84 bythe sealing relationship between first upper slider seals 80, secondupper slider seals 82, and tool body 12.

As those of skill in the art will recognize, it is possible to stackmultiple stages of this invention by sizing upper and lower ball seatsin each stage so that the ball seat diameter progressively increasesgoing up the work string. In this way, the opening and closingoperations can be repeated, stage by stage, as many times as desired oras space in the affected section of the wellbore allows.

Referring to FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment of the present inventionis shown. Upper slider 32 is radically penetrated by one or more lockingdogs 86. Locking dogs 86 engages groove 88 in locking sleeve 90. In therun-in position (FIG. 2), locking dogs 86 are prevented from inwardmovement because their inner surfaces engage lower slider 50. (A moredetailed view of one embodiment of the locking dogs 86 is seen in FIG.3, in which locking dogs 86 are shown extended through the body of upperslider 32.)

The presence of locking dogs 86 serves to lock upper slider 32 inposition, preventing any loading of upper shear screws 36 until lowerslider 50 has been shifted into the open position. (FIG. 2B). With lowerslider 50 in the open position, locking dogs 86 are free to move inward,disengaging from locking sleeve 90 and allowing loading of upper shearscrews 36. Upper shear screws 36 may then be sheared to move upperslider 32 and place the tool in the closed position (FIG. 2C).

Referring to FIG. 4, in an additional embodiment of the invention, testsub 92 may be installed in the work string somewhere below amulti-function diverter tool 10 of the present invention. Yieldable ballseat 94 is sized to catch a ball (not shown) released from upper ballseat 30, which was used to shift the multi-function diverter tool 10into the closed position. With the ball so caught, the work string maybe pressured-tested to ensure that the multi-function diverter tool 10has properly closed and is sealed. As those of skill in the art willrecognize, when multiple multi-function diverter tools 10 are present inthe work string, one or more test subs 92 may be used, depending on thesizing of the yieldable ball seat 94 and the operational requirementsfor the work string.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed: 1) A method for diverting fluid flow from the inside ofa deployment string to the annular space above a casing stringcomprising: a) positioning a diverter tool in a targeted location whilethe diverter tool is in an open position, wherein the diverter toolcomprises: i) a tool body including an interior and exterior for use indownhole operations, the diverter tool having an initial positionpreventing fluid communication from the interior of the tool to theexterior of the tool, a second position permitting fluid communicationfrom the interior of the tool to the exterior of the tool, and a thirdposition again preventing fluid communication from the interior of thetool to the exterior of the tool, further including one or more portsextending radially outwardly of the tool body; ii) a lower sliderassembly axially movable within said tool body, wherein said lowerslider assembly is selectively movable between said initial position andan open position, and wherein fluid communication between said interiorand exterior of said tool body is precluded in said initial position andpossible in said open position; and iii) an upper slider assemblyaxially movable within said tool body, wherein said upper sliderassembly is selectively movable and wherein fluid communication betweensaid interior and exterior of said tool body is possible in said secondposition and precluded in said third position, said upper sliderassembly remaining stationary with respect to said lower slider assemblywhen said lower slider assembly is moved to the open position, means forselectively moving said lower slide assembly from said closed positionto said open position, and means for selectively moving said upperslider assembly from said initial position to said second position; b)closing the diverter tool so that fluid is no longer diverted to theannular space above the casing. 2) The method of claim 1 wherein thediverter tool further includes a means for locking said lower sliderassembly in said open position. 3) The method of claim 1 wherein thediverter tool further includes a selectively releasable means forlocking said upper slider assembly into position until after said lowerslider assembly has been moved from said closed position to said openposition. 4) The method of claim 1 wherein said means for selectivelymoving said lower slider assembly from said closed position to said openposition comprises a first yieldable seat connected to said firstsleeve, wherein said lower slider assembly yieldable seat canselectively retain a first plugging device in sealing configuration withsaid first yieldable seat. 5) The method of claim 1 wherein said meansfor selectively moving said upper slider assembly from said initialposition to said second position comprises a second yieldable seatconnected to said upper slider assembly, wherein said second yieldableseat can selectively retain a second plugging device in sealingconfiguration with said second yieldable seat. 6) The method of claim 1wherein the diverter tool further includes a selectively releasablemeans for locking said upper slider assembly into position until aftersaid lower slider assembly has been moved from said closed position tosaid open position. 7) The method of claim 6 wherein the diverter toolfurther includes a selectively releasable means for locking said upperslider assembly into position until after said lower slider assembly hasbeen moved from said closed position to said open position. 8) Themethod of claim 1 wherein the diverter tool additionally includes aselectively releasable means for locking said upper slider assembly intopositon until after said lower slider assembly has been moved from saidclosed position to said open position. 9) The method of claim 8 whereinsaid selectively releasable means for locking said upper slider assemblyinto position until after said lower slider assembly has been moved fromsaid open position to said closed positon comprises locking dogs, andwherein said locking dogs are held in position by said first sleeve isin said closed position. 10) A diverter tool for use in downholeoperations, said tool comprising: a) a tool body comprising an interiorand an exterior, and comprising ports capable of allowing fluidcommunication between said interior and exterior of said tool body; b) afirst slider assembly interior to said tool body, wherein said firstslider assembly is selectively movable between an initial closedposition and an open position, and wherein fluid communication betweensaid interior and exterior of said tool body is precluded in said closedposition and possible in said open position, c) a second slider assemblysurrounding said first slider assembly and interior to said tool body,wherein said second slider assembly is selectively movable between afirst position, and a second position, and wherein fluid communicationbetween said interior and exterior of said tool body is possible in saidfirst position and precluded in said second position, d) a means forselectively moving said first slider assembly from said closed positionto said open position, and e) means for selectively moving said secondslider assembly from said first position to said second position, saidfirst slider assembly being movable to said open position while saidsecond slider assembly remains stationary relative to the tool body. 11)The device of claim 10, wherein said means for selectively moving saidfirst slider assembly from said closed position to said open positioncomprises a first yieldable ball seat connected to said first sliderassembly, wherein said first yieldable ball seat can selectively retaina first plugging device droppable ball in sealing configuration withsaid first yieldable ball seat. 12) The device of claim 11, wherein saidmeans for selectively moving said second slider assembly from said firstposition to said second position comprises a second yieldable ball seatconnected to said second slider assembly, wherein said second yieldableball seat can selectively retain a second plugging device droppable ballin sealing configuration with said second yieldable ball seat. 13) Thedevice of claim 12, additionally comprising a third yieldable ball seatcapable of selectively retaining said second plugging device droppableball in sealing configuration with said third yieldable ball seat. 14)The device of claim 10, additionally comprising a selectively releasablemeans for locking said second slider assembly into position until aftersaid first slider assembly has been moved from said closed position tosaid open position. 15) The device of claim 14, additionally comprisinga selectively releasable means for locking said second slider assemblyinto position until after said first slider assembly has been moved fromsaid closed position to said open position. 16) The diverter tool ofclaim 11 said first slider assembly including a plurality of ports and asolid portion, and said second slider assembly including a plurality ofports and a solid portion, wherein in said initial closed position theports of the second slider assembly are in fluid communication with theports of the tool body and the solid portion of the first sliderassembly is in alignment with the ports of the second slider assembly.17) The diverter tool of claim 16 wherein said second slider assembly ismovable to a final closed position wherein the solid portion of thesecond slider assembly is positioned between the ports of the firstslider assembly and the ports of the second slider assembly.